Jennifer Clyburn Reed facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jennifer Clyburn Reed
Federal Co-Chair of the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission
In office December 9, 2021 – January 20, 2025
President	Joe Biden
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	TBC
Personal details
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Walter A. Reed
Children	Walter A. Clyburn Reed
Relatives	Jim Clyburn (father) Mignon Clyburn (sister)
Education	University of South Carolina (BA, MAT, EdS) Nova Southeastern University (EdD)

Jennifer Clyburn Reed is an American businesswoman and a former schoolteacher. She held an important role as the federal co-chair of the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission from 2021 to 2025. This commission works to help improve the economy and reduce poverty in the southeastern parts of the United States.

Jennifer Clyburn Reed also co-owns a company called 49 Magnolia, which invests in properties. She is also the chief executive officer of the Palmetto Issues Conference, a group that works to make sure everyone has fair opportunities. Before these roles, she was a schoolteacher for 28 years. She also directed a center at the University of South Carolina that focused on education and fairness for African American students.

Early Life and School

Jennifer Clyburn Reed is the middle daughter of Emily England and Jim Clyburn. Her father, Jim Clyburn, is a U.S. representative for South Carolina. He has been serving in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1993. Her older sister is Mignon Clyburn.

Jennifer went to the University of South Carolina in the 1990s. She studied political science there. She also helped with Stephen K. Benjamin's campaign when he ran for student government president.

Her College Degrees

Jennifer Clyburn Reed earned three degrees from the University of South Carolina. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. She also earned a Master of Arts in Teaching and an Education Specialist degree in teaching. Later, she earned a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Her Work and Career

Teaching and Education

Jennifer Reed taught as an elementary and middle school teacher for 28 years. She taught English language arts and helped students prepare for college. She worked with a program called Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) at Dent Middle School. This program helps students get ready for college.

She also worked as an education specialist for the South Carolina Department of Education. She was a literacy coach for the South Carolina Reading Initiative, helping schools improve reading skills. She retired from teaching in November 2020.

Before her retirement in 2021, Reed was the director of a special center at the University of South Carolina. This center focused on making education fair for African American students. She helped create the Apple Core Initiative, a scholarship program for new students at the University of South Carolina. She also helped choose students for the Emily Clyburn Honors College Scholarship at South Carolina State University.

Business and Community Work

Jennifer Reed is a co-owner of 49 Magnolia Blossom, a company that invests in properties. She and her husband rented office space to Tom Steyer's presidential campaign in 2020. She is also the chief executive officer of the Palmetto Issues Conference. This group works to support policies that create fair economic and social opportunities for everyone.

In November 2020, Reed made plans to fix up the Alston House in Columbia, South Carolina.

Government Role

In August 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden chose Jennifer Reed for an important job. He nominated her to be the federal co-chair of the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission. The U.S. Senate approved her for this role on December 9, 2021. In this position, Reed worked on economic issues and helped reduce poverty in the Southeastern United States.

Her Family Life

Jennifer Reed is married to Walter A. Reed. They have a son named Walter A. Clyburn Reed.